- Son of singer Morton Downey and dancer Barbara Bennett
- According to a 1988 Newsweek interview, Downey's younger sister, Lorelle Ann Downey, had a nervous breakdown at age 14 and began to show behavioral problems. His father had her institutionalized in Pennsylvania and she was given a frontal lobotomy. She was smothered to death in 1977 by a fellow mental patient.
- Planned in 1974 to start the World Baseball League in 32 worldwide cities with franchises selling for $150,000. Plans never got off the ground.
- Nephew of actresses Constance Bennett & Joan Bennett.
- He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1996, and had part of his right lung removed. The remainder of the lung was removed in March 1998 with the discovery of a small tumor.
- Was a guest on the controversial 1980s talk show, Hot Seat with Wally George (1983), where he and George engaged in a heated conversation, leading to George's security crew physically tackling and dragging Downey out of the studio.
- In 1990, Stuttering John had interviewed Morton Downey Jr. for The Howard Stern Show, who was attending a party in New York City. Downey had become increasingly agitated with John's questioning, but all tempers exploded when John lost his temper at one of the party guests who was trying to end the interview.
- Part owner of ABA (American Basketball Association) team New Orleans Buccaneers.
- Pope Paul VI knighted him for his relief humanitarian work in the early 1970's.
- Grandson of Richard Bennett and Adrienne Morrison.
- Father of Kelli Downey Cornwell.
- He started smoking at the age of thirteen, and smoked 4-5 packs of cigarettes a day for much of his adult life.
- Was the oldest in a family of four children.
- He was being treated for pneumonia at the time of his death from lung cancer.
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